In the past few weeks, I have been researching discourse in antiquity (approximately 2nd century BCE to 3rd century CE). One particular source by Caroline Vander Stichele and Todd Penner focuses on the role of appearance and outward characteristics that signify one’s class. One technique of the time was the use of oration as a means of exhibiting dominant status in the Greek or Roman society. According to documentation (keeping in mind, it is more often representative of the literate elite class), careful scrutiny was given to appearance and gestures to indicate adherence to a normative ideal, considered to be masculine perfection—and, a whole person (vs. the incomplete feminine, or lesser slave). Vocalization was part of this rubric of masculinity: an orators voice reflects his ruling class and manliness, while soft speech is linked to women and eunuchs.